Partner Connection

Support State Tourism Department's Budget Request

The New Mexico Tourism Department presented its budget request to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee on Feb. 6. Some of the specific items in the department’s FY24 budget request include:

• $3 million to accommodate for the increasing costs of advertising placements and to maintain an advertising presence in current markets.
• $4 million to sustain investment levels in cooperative advertising programs, the earned media program, the Tourism Event Growth & Sustainability Program and the Rural Pathways Program.
• $20 million in one-time funding that would allow the department to promote New Mexico year-round, begin advertising in the San Francisco media market, place marketing messages in major airports, expand the New Mexico True Certified Program national advertising, increase digital targeting, and conduct research with niche groups.
• $5 million in one-time funding to strategically invest in tourism infrastructure, product development, capacity expansion, sustainability and upkeep.

Visit Albuquerque supports the Tourism Department’s budget request. We participate in the department’s cooperative advertising program, which provides a two-to-one match that gives a boost to Visit Albuquerque’s marketing efforts.

We encourage local hospitality businesses to contact legislators and ask them to support the Tourism Department’s budget request. Legislators need to hear from their constituents about the positive impact this funding will have on the hospitality and tourism industry.

The New Mexico Hospitality Association has a quick and convenient way for you to contact legislators on this issue. Use the NMHA’s OneClickPolitics platform to send a prewritten message, or revise it to add your own comments in support of the budget request. Contact legislators today!

Thank You Volunteers and Partners

Events

ACE Your Team’s Customer Service Skills and Knowledge of Albuquerque

Visit Albuquerque’s Albuquerque Community Experience (ACE) training program is designed to brush up your employees’ customer service skills and strengthen their knowledge about the city. Graduates of the program can answer guests’ questions about things to do and places to visit. The program also provides training on topics such as first impressions, effective communication and handling conflict.

Don’t miss your chance to attend the next class:

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
601 Eubank Blvd. SE

The class begins promptly at 9 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per person for Partner businesses and $40 per person for non-Partners. A continental breakfast will be provided along with water and coffee. To register, call Trish Hathoot at 505-908-8178 or send an email to TKHTrainingABQ@gmail.com.
 
Graduates will be recognized as Albuquerque Community Experience professionals and will receive a complimentary Community Experience pass that allows each of them and one guest to visit attractions throughout the Albuquerque area. The value of each ACE pass is more than $500!
 
Seating is limited, so register your employees now!

Partner Kudos

Explora Opens New X Studio

Explora opened X Studio, its most recent expansion, Feb. 11. X Studio is a hands-on learning center for teens to experiment and problem-solve while learning about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) careers.  

New Restaurant Opens at Sawmill Market

A new restaurant opened at Sawmill Market Feb. 10 called Little Madrid. Enjoy Spanish food including tapas and wine!

Rude Boy Cookies to Sell Treats at Popejoy Hall 

Rude Boy Cookies is the new concessions vendor during performances at Popejoy Hall. Offering baked goods and beverages on performance dates, this will be the first time the venue’s concession stand will be back open since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Gallery Hózhó Featured in the Albuquerque Journal

The Albuquerque Journal recently featured Gallery Hózhó, highlighting its “Vibrant” exhibition last month. Two of the artists involved in the exhibit were interviewed.

Yucca Art Gallery Featured in Downtown Albuquerque News

Downtown Albuquerque News recently featured Yucca Art Gallery. The unique nature of its cooperative organizational structure was highlighted, along with its ongoing success for more than 58 years.

ABQ BioPark Named One of Best Botanical Gardens

Fodors Travel named the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden one of the 12 best botanical gardens in the United States. Congratulations!

MARKETING TIPS AND TRICKS

An Introduction to Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is a powerful tool your business can use to reach more potential customers and attract more business. This rundown of social media marketing explains what it is, how to use it and the benefits of being on social media.

Partner Opportunities

Submit Your Current Coupons 

Coupons can be a great way to drive traffic to your business. If you have a current coupon or special running, please submit it to us so we can list it on our highly visited and shared Specials & Coupons page. We also promote these specials and coupons during special events, meetings and conventions being hosted in Albuquerque.

Click here to submit your current coupons and specials. 

Submit Your Events to the ABQ365 Events Calendar 

Visit Albuquerque’s ABQ365 Events Calendar offers a great opportunity to promote your events! The one-stop, all-ABQ encompassing calendar features primarily arts, entertainment and culture-focused events, appealing to both locals and visitors. 

Event listings offer a great opportunity for additional exposure and promotion, and can help keep your business top-of-mind – for free! 

Click here to get started.

Tell Us What’s New

We want to help you share your new initiatives. If you are offering a new type of service or concept, a new product, or have anything else exciting or new going on, we want to hear about it! Send anything and everything to Media@VisitABQ.org. 

Visit Albuquerque Staff Spotlight

Featured Partners

New & Renewing Partners 

Thanks To Our New And Renewing Partners  

Visit Albuquerque’s Partners help support our mission to market the city as a top-choice destination for leisure travel, meetings and sporting events. Our thanks to the following Partners that recently joined or renewed their partnership with Visit Albuquerque. We appreciate your commitment to making Albuquerque a great place to live and to visit!

New Partners

• Alliance Nationwide Exposition
• Downshift Brewing Co. @ Outpost 1706
• TownePlace Suites Albuquerque Old Town

Renewing Partners

• All Sports Trophies, Inc.
• Annapurna's World Vegetarian Cafe - Silver St.
• Casa de Benavidez
• Chello Grill
• Discovery Map of Albuquerque
• Electric Playhouse
• Heritage Audio Visual
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Historic Old Town
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Uptown
• Miles Partnership
• National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show
• New Mexico Bed & Breakfast Association
• New Mexico Hospitality Association
• Noisy Water Winery
• Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque
• The Clyde Hotel